Game Commission Cuts Doe Permits For Pocono Region

STROUDSBURG — If you’re looking to bag a doe next hunting season, that might become an even bigger challenge for hunters in the Poconos.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission announced some major cuts to doe permits in that region.

Lining up the perfect shot and keeping his aim on target, hunter Ralph Tedesco gets some practice in at this shooting range in Tobyhanna run by the game commission. Tedesco says he rarely has the opportunity to take a shot at any deer during the season.

“It’s always slip pickings, really. If you’re fortunate, you get to see something, if you’re really fortunate, you get to shoot something, so it’s not too often,” Tedesco said.

To try to change that, the game commission just announced it is cutting doe permits in the Poconos.

Only 25,000 will be issued as opposed to last season’s 32,000. It’s about a 20 percent cut.

“I think you hear certain hunters, certain members of the public saying they’re not seeing enough deer and I think this is a reflection of the board of commissioners heard the hunters,” said wildlife conservation officer Ryan Gildea.

Mike Watson of East Stroudsburg browses hunting gear at Dunklebergers in Stroudsburg and says he missed out on a doe permit last season. He says the new rules are frustrating.

“A little bit, yeah, I mean last year I couldn’t shoot any doe and on top of that, it has to be three on one side. I only had a buck permit,” Watson said.

Others in Monroe County say they’re not so sure reducing permits is the solution to increasing the population.

“It’s possible, it’s possible but a lot of them get hit alongside the road. So with all the traffic and everything, you see them along the roads,” said Phillip Counterman of Stroudsburg.

Bob Carey of Stroudsburg believes the game commission made the right call, saying this major cut in permits isn’t an issue at all.

“Not really, I roll with the punches. I don’t hunt as much as I used to, but I think they’re doing a good job.”

8 comments

JOHN J

$100.00 A DAY? What are you doing? Burning money while your out there to stay warm? I spend 10-15 bucks on gas and lunch. Two or three on ammunition if I shoot a deer. I also LOVE every second of it. I don’t need thousands of dollars in gear to enjoy it or to be successful. At that rate I guess you would consider it not cost effective

rickpa

Those cost calculations are crazy. I purchased 3 packages of shells over the past 10 years. 1 or 2 rounds to make sure scope is on. 1 or 2 each year to take a deer. Also have same boots and clothing for almost 10 years. Maybe a pack of broad heads and a few arrows each year. I also learned how to process my own deer. You can make it very cost effective if you are conservative, learn how to process on your own and have enough skill to consistently take 2-3 deer a season. Also you are eating meat you literally took from the field to your table. so you truly know what your family is eating. Cant buy that peace of mind for $19 per pound lol

Keith Pierson

I think a lot of these “hunters” not seeing anything is because they’re not good hunters. There are tons of deer out there. I get a doe permit and hunt archery every year. I have no problem getting a doe at 30 yards or less. Luck, skill, and practice have regularly kept my freezer full.

Most of our “hunters” roll out in droves in the pumpkin army opening day. They’re stinking and walking through the woods in such numbers the deer shut down and bed down in thick cover or retreat to safety zones. The patterns change completely after opening day.

If a hunter wants to get a deer learn how to shoot a bow, learn how to stalk deer, and most importantly learn the deer and its habits. Tromping through the woods elbow to elbow with other hunters is not how you get deer.

I’m fine with the game commission altering the number of permits as a result of their experts conducting biological science based research to determine how to manage the herd in a way that is good for the whole environment, not just the hunters. The reality is that hunter foot the bill for a majority of our conservation efforts, nature preservation, and research done to better our understanding of wildlife biology so the game commission has to play politics to keep people hunting and happy.

pa

Some people hunt to enjoy the outdoors but it helps with the food bill also. That’s why I hunt. Not to kill everything they see! You sound like an arrogant trophy hunter “not annoyed”. Glad you think that its not to much $ for a tag. I’m sure you love the antler restrictions as well. Beacuse that’s what its about right??? Big bucks ??? Not everyone is in you boat. Give the guy a break

Keith Pierson

It takes a lot of work to make deer hunting a fiscally viable alternative to buying meat. Personally I’ve got thousands of dollars invested over the years in bows, arrows, stands, camo, scents, etc and I’m a pretty thrift hunter. I figure it would probably be cheaper if I’d just never bought any hunting gear and just bought filet mignon and lobster instead. I mean if I’ve got 3,000 dollars in gear/gas/etc and I’ve gotten 5 deer at 4 doe at roughly 60 pounds of meat per doe, and buck at 100 pounds that netted me 340 pounds at a rate of roughly 9$ a pound. Each deer required a day of processing, so that’s 5 days in meat preparation. Not including complex stuff like sausage, snack sticks, and jerky. So if I put in a measly 5 days a season, over 5 seasons with 100% success rate we’re talking thirty days over 5 years. So 35 days in acquiring the meat. So at a rate of 100$ a day that’s 3,500$. That kicks it up to 19$ a pound.

For 95% of hunters hunting is not about economic efficiency in acquiring meat. We do it for the same reason I ride a motorcycle, because I love it. I love being in the woods, I love the thrill of stalking a creature that can hear or smell me from much further than I can see it, a wonder of nature that evolved to evade predators much more adept at hunting than the comparably deaf humans with no sense of smell that can barely run. The satisfaction of harvesting a deer with a bow, processing the meat, and serving free range, organic wild meat to my guests is glorious. The steak I ate tonight lived a miserable existence in a factory setting until it was killed in a giant facility dedicated to killing. The venison I had two days ago lived a wonderful natural life until I humanely dispatched it with efficient precision and respect for its place in nature.

Annoyed hunter

I just wish they would stop trying to manage the state for antlers. It’s nice to have bigger bucks in the woods but many of us work 9-5 Mon-Fri and don’t have the time to let spikes and four pointers pass. At least in the past you could justify spending the money on a license and gear to get meat. So now………less doe tags and you can’t shoot unless 3 or more points on one side???? The game commission gods have spoken lol What a joke!

Not annoyed hunter

Sorry annoyed hunter that you cannot kill everything you see. I am an avid outdoorsman and enjoy seeing game without shooting everything that is LEGAL. I also work many hours at 2 jobs. The price we pay for a tag is small compared to the time we get to spend afield with family and friends.

phil howell

i really wish all of lackawana county cut back on the doe permitts!!! keep the antler restrictions and go back to 3 day doe and 2 week buck!! i used to love sitting in the woods with my dad and brother and see plenty of deer.. but ever since gary alt changed the rules it has been horrible